Salute the champions! Wonderful Wigan Athletic have powered their way to a glorious title crowning.

The First Division now awaits Paul Jewell's table toppers thanks to a point at the McAlpine Stadium and Crewe's defeat by Swindon.

The blue half of Wigan will be waking up on Sunday with a king sized headache as champagne celebrations marked the club's finest hour.

Latics' silver anniversary as 25 year members of the football league has co-incided with their greatest footballing feat.

4,000 travelling fans punched the air with delight as the championship crown was bestowed on Jewell's gems.

Manager Jewell told MEN Sport: "The Championship is well deserved - we've more points than anyone else and the feeling of achievement is just great.

Special

"We're the best team in the league and I'm delighted for everyone associated with the club - this special moment has been waiting to happen and I'm sure our fans will now savour tomorrow's game with Oldham."

Goalkeeper John Filan, a heroagainst Huddersfield, said: "I honestly thought we had to win to secure the title but I soon found out from the reaction of the fans we were on our way.

"It's been a truly fantastic season - the fans deserve to celebrate - honest hard work just about sums us up.

"We've been the most consistent side and we have got Wigan where they should be.

"I'm simply made up for all the boys and the fans have been absolutely magnificent."

Wigan's crowning came with star striker Nathan Ellington in hospital - he underwent a shoulder operation on the morning of the game. Andy Liddell injured his calf on half-time and won't play again this season.

Manager Jewell added: "It's a good job we're up and have the title because we are running out of players - it's been an excellent season and we've worked so hard."

Wigan should have taken all three points from the McAlpine - Lee McCulloch went close and Peter Kennedy blazed the bar with a stinging volley.

Come the finish it did not matter with Wigan going up in the football world and relishing the prospect of some mouth-watering clashes in division 1.

Jewell is not one to show his emotion and was quick to stress the players were back in for training as they prepare for Monday's big Easter derby with Oldham Athletic.

He says: "Personally I welcome another big game - we want to savour this occasion and then put on a show for the fans while Oldham will be looking for three very important points.

"I'm pleased with how the players have reacted as we have gone into the final games - I saw us grind out the better chances against Huddersfield and we could easily have snatched three more points - we have done extremely well away from home this season and this has been a major factor in taking us up."